Today in Africa — Mar 9, 2026: 42 Killed in Kenya Floods, Rising Oil Prices From Iran War Threaten Inflation Across Africa

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

Flood Death Toll in Kenya Rises to 42 After Nairobi Deluge

At least 42 people have died after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding in Kenya, nearly doubling an earlier death toll of 23, the government said Sunday. Torrential rains that began on Friday caused flash floods across Nairobi and other areas, sweeping away vehicles, drowning residents, and disrupting flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Emergency teams, including the military, are continuing search-and-rescue operations to recover bodies and assist affected communities, while authorities say at least 172 vehicles have been recovered from floodwaters.

President William Ruto has ordered relief food from the national strategic reserves to be distributed to families affected by the floods and deployed emergency responders to coordinate rescue efforts. In Nairobi, witnesses described rivers bursting their banks and carrying away people and vehicles, while damaged power infrastructure left several neighborhoods without electricity. Scientists say climate change is intensifying extreme weather in East Africa by concentrating rainfall into shorter, heavier bursts, with a 2024 World Weather Attribution study finding such devastating rains are now twice as likely as before.

Rising Oil Prices From Iran War Threaten Inflation Across African Economies

Rising global oil prices triggered by the war with Iran are putting new pressure on African economies that rely heavily on imported fuel. Analysts say the continent’s dependence on imported petroleum products leaves many countries vulnerable to supply shocks tied to tensions in the Middle East. Higher oil prices, combined with weakening currencies, could drive up fuel and transport costs and inflation in import-dependent economies such as Kenya and Ghana, as investors shift money into safer assets like the U.S. dollar.

The impact is expected to vary across the continent. Major oil exporters such as Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, and Libya could see increased revenues if crude prices remain above $100 per barrel, while most households across Africa are likely to face higher living costs. Countries already struggling with limited foreign exchange reserves, including Sudan, The Gambia, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, could face additional strain as fuel import bills rise. Analysts say the crisis may also strengthen calls for African countries to invest in energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels over the long term.

Guinea Opposition Leader Calls for “Direct Resistance” After Government Dissolves 40 Parties

Guinea’s main opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has called for “direct resistance” against President Mamady Doumbouya after the government ordered the dissolution of 40 political parties. In a decree issued on Friday, the Ministry of Territorial Administration said the parties had failed to meet legal obligations, including filing financial statements, ordering the closure of their headquarters and local offices, and banning the use of their logos and acronyms. Several of the dissolved parties dispute the claim, saying they complied with all legal requirements.

Diallo, speaking in a video message from exile yesterday, Sunday, March 8, accused Doumbouya’s government of declaring “war” on its political opponents and trying to erase rival forces to create a one-party state. Doumbouya, a former special forces commander who seized power in a 2021 coup, secured a contested seven-year presidential term in December, while legislative elections are expected in May. Guinea has a long history of political tensions, including violence during the 2020 election, though the tightly controlled December 2025 vote passed without major security incidents.

Thousands Flee Akobo as South Sudan Army Prepares Assault

Thousands of civilians have fled the opposition-held town of Akobo in eastern South Sudan after the army ordered residents and aid groups to evacuate ahead of a planned military operation. Local officials say the exodus began on Saturday night, with women, children, and elderly residents crossing into neighboring Ethiopia as fighting intensified nearby and machine gun fire was reported west of the town. The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces also instructed the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to close its base in Akobo and asked civilians and non-governmental organizations to leave to avoid “collateral damage.” Akobo is one of the last strongholds of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition, led by detained vice president Riek Machar, amid escalating tensions between his forces and those loyal to President Salva Kiir. Fighting has surged in northern Jonglei state since December, displacing more than 280,000 people in recent weeks. The town, which hosts more than 82,000 displaced people and a U.N. peacekeeping presence, has been seen as a relatively safe haven, but health officials now warn they lack fuel and resources to move wounded patients from the local hospital if a full assault begins.

Ghana Calls for Probe After Missile Strike Injures UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

Ghana has called on the Commonwealth to condemn a missile attack that injured four of its soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The strike hit a base hosting Ghanaian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Friday evening, damaging facilities and sparking fires, according to videos shared on social media. Ghana’s army says three soldiers suffered minor injuries while another, who was critically wounded, underwent surgery and is now responding to treatment. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urged Commonwealth members to condemn the attack and demand an investigation, calling it a violation of the UN Charter. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun blames Israel for the strike, though Ghanaian officials have not publicly named those responsible. Ghana has also lodged a formal protest with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who says those behind the attack must be held accountable.

Cocoa Price Crash Pushes West African Farmers to Mining and Other Work

A sharp drop in global cocoa prices is pushing farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to abandon cocoa farming or lease their land to illegal miners. Manu Yaw Fofie, a 52-year-old farmer in Ghana, says falling yields and collapsing prices forced him to allow illegal sand miners onto part of his farm, even though the practice damages the soil and makes the land infertile. Across the two countries, which together produce nearly 70% of the world’s cocoa, farmers are turning to alternatives such as sand and gold mining as cocoa profits shrink and unsold beans pile up in warehouses. Cocoa prices surged to more than $12,000 per metric ton in 2024 before crashing to around $4,000 as supply outpaced demand, leaving traders unwilling to buy beans at government-set prices. Governments in both countries have responded by cutting farmgate prices to revive sales, with Ghana reducing its fixed cocoa price by 28% and Côte d’Ivoire slashing prices by more than half for 2026. Farmers say the cuts leave them struggling to cover production costs, while climate pressures, crop disease, and delayed payments add to the strain, forcing many to find other ways to survive.

Tunisia Plans $1 Billion Expansion of Tunis-Carthage Airport

Tunisia plans to expand Tunis-Carthage International Airport in a project estimated to cost about 3 billion dinars ($1 billion), aiming to increase passenger capacity from about 5 million to 18.5 million travelers a year by 2031. The Transport Ministry says the expansion has been included in the Civil Aviation and Airports Authority’s 2026 investment budget and is part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s air transport infrastructure. Authorities have also decided to shelve plans to build a new airport for now and instead focus on upgrading and expanding the existing facility.